Method for initiating a transaction between a communication device and a transaction device

Abstract

The method is for initiating a transaction. A communication device is in communication with a plurality of POS devices via a network and senses a magnetic field of a magnet. The communication device sends a turning off command to the first device to turn off the magnetic field of the magnet and checks whether a magnetic field still exists. When no magnetic field exist, the communication device determining that the communication device is in close proximity of magnet of the first device and initiating a transaction with the first device. If a magnetic field still exists, the device sends turning-off commands to another POS device until the magnetic field is turned off to identify which POS device the communication device is next to.

1 . A method of initiating a transaction, comprising,
 providing a communication device in communication with a first device and a second device via a network,   the communication device ( 102 ) being in close proximity to the first device or the second device and sensing a magnetic field of a magnet,   the communication device sending a turning off command to the first device to turn off the magnetic field of the magnet,   the communication device determining whether a magnetic field exists,   when no magnetic field exist, the communication device determining that the communication device is in close proximity of magnet of the first device and initiating a transaction with the first device,   when a magnetic field exists, the communication device sending a turning off command to the second device to turn off the magnetic field of the magnet,   when no magnetic field exists, the communication device determining that the communication device is in close proximity of the magnet of the second device and initiating a transaction with the second device.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises the step of using a smart phone having a sensor for sensing magnetic fields. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the method further comprises the step of the smart phone sensing a plurality of point-of-sale (POS) devices via signal in the network. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the method further comprises the step of the smart phone sensing light or vibrations from the POS devices. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the method further comprises the step of the smart phone sending a turning-off command to a microprocessor of POS device. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5  wherein the method further comprises the step of the microprocessor turning off the magnet upon receipt of the turning-off command. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises the step of the communication device ranking POS devices based on signal strength received from the POS devices. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein the method further comprises the step of providing the communication device with an application program and initiating the program to sense the POS devices. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises sending a turning-off command with different off-time parameters to all POS devices and determining identity of the POS device based on the off-time of the magnetic field of the POS device.